The NBA is getting real serious when it comes to COVID-19 and making sure players do not break protocols at any point during the season. The league is rolling out a contract tracing program that involves a requirement to wear sensor devices during team-organized activities, according to Baxter Holmes of ESPN. Some team staffers will also be required to wear these devices.

This will go into effect on Jan. 7 after a testing period began on Dec. 23. More details here:

Only Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals — designations outlined in the league’s health and safety protocols that include players and specific staff members, such as coaches — will be required to wear Kinexon SafeZone contact sensor devices on the team plane, the team bus, during practices and to and from the arena or their home practice facility in connection with team travel, the memo states.

There will be discipline if the sensors aren’t worn, but it’s not currently clear what kind of punishment there could be.

The purpose of these sensors is to record “the distance and duration of in-person interactions” with other individuals also wearing the sensor, ultimately helping health officials to make a decision if a quarantine mandate is necessary for a player.

The NBA used these sensors on a voluntary basis in the Disney bubble, but now it’s being made a requirement because there’s no bubble situation this season. It’s worth noting that the sensors don’t record GPS location, as it’s only natural to be concerned about the possibility of tracking individual movements. The “proximity alarm” feature is expected to be disabled after it was active in the bubble.

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Here are NBA senior vice president David Weiss’ thoughts on the whole matter:

“We’re hopeful that it can also be used not only when there are cases, but proactively to try to reduce contacts even before there are cases,” Weiss had to say, via Holmes.

This project is a group collaboration of the NBA, the NBPA, and medical officials, and this initiative will make a difference in this upcoming season, especially at a time where health is everyone’s priority.